Adopted by the Security Council at its 3860th meeting, on 16 March
1998

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its resolutions 1125 (1997) of 6 August 1997, 1136
(1997) of 6 November 1997 and 1152 (1998) of 5 February 1998,

Taking note of the report dated 10 March 1998 (S/1998/221)
to the Security Council by the International Committee for the follow-up
of the Bangui Agreements pursuant to resolution 1152 (1998),

Taking note also of the letter dated 11 March 1998 from the
President of the Central African Republic to the President of the Security
Council (S/1998/219, annex) and of the letter dated 13 March 1998 to
the President of the Security Council from the President of Gabon, on
behalf of the members of the International Committee for the follow-up
of the Bangui Agreements (S/1998/233, annex),

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 23
February 1998 (S/1998/148) submitted to the Council in accordance with
resolution 1152 (1998),

Expressing its appreciation for the neutral and impartial way
in which the Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of
the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) has carried out its mandate, in close
cooperation with the Central African authorities and noting with
satisfaction that MISAB has contributed significantly to stabilizing
the situation in the Central African Republic, in particular through
the supervision of the surrendering of arms,

Noting that the States participating in MISAB and the Central
African Republic have decided to extend the mandate of MISAB until 15
April 1998 in order to ensure a smooth transition to the prospective
deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation (S/1998/219, annex),

Stressing the importance of regional stability and in this
context fully supporting the efforts of the International Mediation
Committee established by the nineteenth Summit of the Heads of State
and Governments of France and Africa and by the members of the International
Committee for the follow-up of the Bangui Agreements,

Stressing also the need for all signatories to the Bangui Agreements
to continue to cooperate fully in respecting and implementing these
Agreements,

Determining that the situation in the Central African Republic
continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security
in the region,

1. Welcomes the efforts made by the Member States participating
in MISAB and by those States providing support to them, and their readiness
to maintain these efforts;

2. Urges the Government of the Central African Republic to
continue to fulfil the commitments expressed in the letter of 8 January
1998 to the Secretary-General from the President of the Central African
Republic (S/1998/61, annex) and calls upon the parties in the
Central African Republic to complete the implementation of the provisions
of the Bangui Agreements and to implement the conclusions of the National
Reconciliation Conference (S/1998/219, appendix);

3. Approves the continued conduct by Member States participating
in MISAB of the operation in a neutral and impartial way to achieve
its objective as set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1125 (1997);

4. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
authorizes the Member States participating in MISAB and those
States providing logistical support to ensure security and freedom of
movement of their personnel;

5. Decides that the authorization referred to in paragraph
4 above will be extended until 27 March 1998;

6. Recalls that the expenses and logistical support for MISAB
will be borne on a voluntary basis in accordance with article 11 of
the mandate of MISAB, and encourages Member States to contribute
to the Trust Fund for the Central African Republic;

7. Affirms that it will take a decision by 27 March 1998 on
the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in the
Central African Republic on the basis of the report of the Secretary-General
of 23 February 1998;